Air Transport

AIR CHINA plans May 20 to begin Beijing Capital-Toronto (777).

Stephen Creamer to President and Chief Executive Officer of ATCA, Alexandria, VA.

AIR CANADA plans June 27 to begin Montreal-Edinburgh, Scotland (737-8).

WILLIS LEASE FINANCE agreed to purchase 26 CFM56-7Bs from Air India Express for leaseback; engines will be covered under its ConstantThrust program, which helps airlines manage the risk and cost of engine overhauls.

AAPA members carried 30.8m pax in February, up 5.9% vs Feb 2024; capacity (ASKs) rose 8.6%. Cargo rose 2.8%.

JETTAINER extended ULD management deal with Air Astana, which plans to increase its fleet from 60 to 80 aircraft, including adding 787s, by end of 2028. Jettainer says it currently has fleet of >110,000 ULDs in 500 locations worldwide.

WAMOS AIR, Spain leased ex-Virgin Atlantic A330-300 (1201) with Trent 700s from AerCap.

Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau fields questions from lawmakers who are frustrated with apparent safety risk-analysis failures at the FAA.

Aviation executives believe that despite the increased point-to-point capabilities of new-generation aircraft, they will not diminish the role of hub airports.

Government-owned Lao Airlines reportedly plans on receiving one Comac C909 aircraft as early as the end of March.

European airlines say a 2030 mandate for SAF uptake may need to be delayed because there will not be enough of the alternative fuel available.

While established OEMs have no medium-term plan to make aviation greener, the Clean Aviation research and technology project is putting hopes in startups.

A pilot project done by Universal Fuel Technologies shows that the company can produce 100% SAF from multiple renewable feedstocks at reduced cost.

Ambitious plans for growing passenger and cargo traffic to Japan depend on Tokyo Narita adding a new runway and consolidating three terminals, the CEO says.

Indian carrier IndiGo says its future fleet of Airbus A321XLR narrowbody aircraft offers unique route development opportunities and a compelling business case.

VietJet is planning an expansion into Europe and expects to launch its first routes to the region before the end of the year, with the U.S. also on the horizon.

Routes Asia, which brings together decision makers from airlines, airports and destinations to define the region’s air route networks, is heading to Xi’an, China from 24-26 March in 2026.

Airbus has given some early insights into the basics of its future narrowbody. An open-rotor engine clearly remains its favorite option.

The global average jet fuel price rose 2.3% last week to $88.68/bbl, compared to $86.69/bbl the previous week.

KOREAN AIR finalized order for 20 GE9X-powered 777-9s and 20 GEnx-powered 787-10s, plus options for 10 787s, for delivery through 2033; deal includes service agreement with GE for maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the GE9Xs.

OAG reports capacity between Canada and US has been reduced through October 2025; bookings are down 70% compared to same period last year.

BREEZE AIRWAYS leased ex-Egyptair A220-300 (55062) from Azorra. It now has 39 A220s and 13 E190s.

QANTAS announced that its first A321XLR has received its engines at Hamburg; test flight is scheduled soon.

HELVETIC AIRWAYS began operating the E195-E2 into London City Airport, the largest aircraft to serve airport.

LAX handled 4.9m pax in February, down 7.1% vs Feb 2024.